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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

What to do

9 replies

Whattodo456 · 16/07/2025 12:46

My husband (58)after 25yrs cocaine user (serious last 3 yrs), workaholic and alcoholic, a liar coercive control and bullying. I have not been in love with him for 10 years because of his behaviour and haven’t kissed him for 15 years because of his lies coming out of his mouth last year I met another man who was wonderful. My father died. My best friend died and a good friend was seriously ill. I told my husband about my affair. I try to have some space from him. He spent months trying to persuade me to give him sexual favours. I have finally moved out for the last five weeks. I feel great. He has over the last four months given up the cocaine, he still drinks. He has promised to stop working and take me on holiday. The problem is unfortunately I feel I’m done and I’ve built up too much of a wall to protect myself and I do feel I still love my affair partner. I have told my husband I am leaving. I need to be on my own But he keeps trying to persuade me to stay. Saying I owe it to him and my adult children and the rest of the extended family to try again and try the new him but my heart’s not in it should I try again and risk getting in this position and maybe never getting out ever again I am stuck between pleasing my family Most importantly my mother and my husband‘s family but the rest of my family think I should leave. I just need the backup to tell me I’m doing the right thing leaving and giving myself a chance for a happy life and not letting him have the opportunity to have another go and risk getting back into the same position Again I’m 54 and I feel like if I don’t go now I won’t ever go any help or ideas would be gratefully received

OP posts:
EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 16/07/2025 12:54

Is your mother married to him? Are his family? No - so their opinion is completely irrelevant.

I wonder if your mother taught you growing up to value yourself so lowly that you stayed with this dick head for so long?

For the love of yourself, stay gone. You gave it everything you had. His penitent play-acting (the mask would soon slip if you made the error of going back) is too little too late.

Set your children a good example - that you don't have to stay with a bullying idiot - rather than what your mother set you.

Lmnop22 · 16/07/2025 13:06

You should have left 15 years ago, but that’s not a good reason to throw good years after bad.

Get out and realise how good life can be!

Omgblueskys · 16/07/2025 15:25

No your done, please don't go back, listen to your gut, only please you,
Family haven't lived this life for 15 years you have, your done your time, go and be free, and it's OK for you to be happy, your time, you have wasted enough time on him,
Stay strong op

persisted · 16/07/2025 15:50

You've made your decision, stick to it, the reasons you made it havn't gone away.

Words are easy, what matters is a person's actions. His actions have consequences, don't let him put this on you. You get to be happy and he's responsible for whatever mess he gets himself in.

Whattodo456 · 19/07/2025 07:22

Thank you for your messages. Your views of help make me more confident and to clarify that what I knew was right, thank you.

OP posts:
YodasHairyButt · 19/07/2025 07:25

Leave and find yourself a better life. He won’t change.

Wineisalwaysagoodidea · 19/07/2025 07:25

No point lamenting if you should have left sooner but don’t leave it any longer. You need to know and believe that you deserve better. Life is too short. Don’t stay for other people - the way they live their life doesn’t improve yours.

Tinytimmy123 · 19/07/2025 07:35

Don't leave because of or for your affair person and what that may or may not hold for you on your future. Leave for you and only you.
Plan for a good life for yourself that is enabled and built by you. You deserve so much better, you gave him so much and you have lost so much of yourself because of his choices. So make your own choices for you.
He is responsible for himself and you owe him nothing else.

doitwithlove · 19/07/2025 07:39

Excellent, he has changed ….. How long till he goes back to being a selfish pig. Leave, find happiness, life is too short to stay with him.

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